When Cindy Wilke made the announcement Aug. 24 to her staff that she was closing Farley’s Cafeteria, the news spread quickly. Many people who have fond memories of eating at the cafeteria were saddened to hear the news.

The Cafeteria was established in 1954.

Wilke said she began working at the cafeteria six years prior to buying the business in July 1998, when Glenda Farley, daughter of James and Mildred Farley retired due to health reasons.

The last day Farley’s was open was Sunday and Wilke said the last day was emotional. She said there were customers coming in and the cafeteria was full of people wanting to eat there one more time before it closed. “I was glad to see them,” she said, adding, “It was a great way to go out.”

Wilke said it was last year when she suffered an injury while horseback riding and the cafeteria was closed for a brief period after her injury. She said the decision to close was in part because of her health and because business had just become slow.

She said she appreciates all of the nine employees. “They did a wonderful job for me,” she said.